Theodore George Kampiziones

Theodore G. Kampiziones, 79, of Florence, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2014, in Miami, Florida. Mr. Kampiziones was born in Lamia, Greece, a son of the late George Kampiziones and Stavroula Droukas Kampiziones.As a teenager, he moved with his family to Athens, Greece, where he was responsible for the operation and maintenance of all equipment at an iron ore mine. He served in the Greek Army as a sergeant where he was again in charge of maintenance of heavy equipment. He attended Sivitanidios Technical Institute in Athens and received a Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He later established a machine fabrication company in Pireaus and Haidari, Greece where he repaired engines and equipment for the naval shipyards. An already successful and established businessman in Greece, Mr. Kampiziones sought greater opportunities for his family and business, and moved to the US in 1974.He settled in Florence, SC and founded Dixie Machining & Mfg. Co. (Dimmco, Inc.).Mr. Kampiziones immediately became well known for his expert consulting and highly specialized jobs for the surrounding companies (General Electric, Stone Container, Dupont-Teijin Films) in the area.Despite being faced with the devastating tragedy of losing his wife, Joanna, in 1976, Mr. Kampiziones persevered as a resilient and devoted father and flourished as a mechanical engineer.He was awarded multiple patents for his inventions. Mr. Kampiziones was a member of the Transfiguration of our Savior Greek Orthodox Church, The Evrytanian Association of America and the Society of American Inventors. In addition to his parents, his wife, Ioanna Schetakis Kampiziones, precedes Mr. Kampiziones in death. He is survived by his sons, George T. (Theodora) Kampiziones, Terry T (Niki) Kampiziones, and Andrew T. (Helen) Kampiziones, all of Florence; his daughter Joanne K. (Tian) Ying of Coral Gables, FL; his grandchildren Joanna, Theodore (Teddy), Thomas, Theodore (Rocco), Elliana, Katie, and John-Theodore; his brother, Andrew G. (Eula) Kampiziones of Florence and his sister, Anna K. (Jim) Poulos of Athens, Greece. Visitation will be 6 pm – 7 pm with Trisagion Service at 7 pm on Tuesday evening, February 18, 2014, at the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11:30 am, at the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home.Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church, 2990 S. Cashua Drive, Florence, SC 29501. Please sign the tribute wall for Mr. Kampiziones at the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com